Smith & Wesson Model 5904: 1988 All-Metal ‘Wonder Nine’ Still Shines

[Talyn]

Looking a bit like the love child of a Beretta 92 and a 1911, the all-metal Smith & Wesson 5904 is revered for its blued finish with an alloy frame, double-stack magazine, and DA/SA action.

This third-generation model from S&W has long been discontinued. While calls for its reintroduction have been increasing, so far, they have gone unanswered. Still, there’s nothing quite like the all-metal original, and finding one today isn’t as difficult as you might think.

https://www.guns.com/news/reviews/smith-wesson-model-5904-wonder-nine

 

[yotehtr]

One of my favorites.

 

[HansGruber]

I’ve got a 5906; I’m quite a fan.

 

[Mr.W.]

I have a 5906; fine shooter, great pistol.

 

[Model 457]

My trusty old 457 is my EDC. When I bought it, S&W was having some issues with their 9mm line of pistols so I got the .45 instead. I've since searched high and low for a 9mm like Mr. W.'s but I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of loot for an online purchase fondle unfelt. If a local FFL found one, (and yes, they all know I want one so their eyeballs are open), I'd snap it up in a second. I stumbled onto a NIB unfired Model 457 with the original box and manual for $1,202.99. I have the original box and manual for mine. Kinda makes me wish I hadn't made it my EDC many moons ago and kept it as a collectible versus the holster worn hunk of metal it has become!

 

[HansGruber]

I will say; the Gen3 S&W’s had, by far, the best DA/SA triggers out of the box of all their contemporaries; Sig, Beretta, HK…none could beat it. Just smooth in DA, light & crisp in SA.

 

[mikep]

5906 is on my “list”.

 

[Anchorite]

Love the Third Gen Smiths.
I have a 4506, 915, 6906, 4006, and a 5964(DAO 5906).

 

[HansGruber]

I’m down to 2…my 5906 and a 1076.

I had a 645/4506 transition model, a 3913, a 6904 and a 1006, but they got traded off over the years.

 

[Warrior9(Ret)]

I had a 645 when they first were introduced. The trigger was Terrible! I bought it when I was stationed in Germany. There were no authorized S&W service centers in Germany and sending it back to the states for servicing wasn’t going to happen.
I sold it and got a Colt Delta Elite

 

[HansGruber]

I had a 645 when they first were introduced. The trigger was Terrible! I bought it when I was stationed in Germany. There were no authorized S&W service centers in Germany and sending it back to the states for servicing wasn’t going to happen.
I sold it and got a Colt Delta EliteView attachment 81762

645 was 2nd generation…but still, they typically had pretty good triggers.

You may have gotten an odd one.

 

[az4783054]

I saw a 915 at a local shop the other day, haven't seen one of those in a long time. Brings back memories of a 6906 I owned for awhile after I retired. There's a local shop that has quite a collection of those stainless third gen S&W pistols.

 

[Warrior9(Ret)]

645 was 2nd generation…but still, they typically had pretty good triggers.

You may have gotten an odd one.

Probably so. I just couldn’t find a way to get it looked at. I took it back to the Rod and Gun club at Rhine Main AFB and the manager said that since I had fired it they couldn’t take it back.

 

[Winchester67]

Like most of the other guys that carried 1911's back then, when the 4516 came out it caught my attention. I tried it for a while, in a Milt Sparks rig. It was comfortable, if thicker than the 1911. It was a solid performer, but since it didn't really save weight I went back to the 1911. If it had an aluminum frame, I might be carrying it still today.

 

[USMC6094]

I have a 5906; fine shooter, great pistol.

That's what I qualified with in Police Academy. I've wanted one ever since.

 

[3L120]

Carried one on-duty. Choices were this pistol or a Beretta 92. Latter was just too large for plainclothes work. Still have it.

 

[dadoser]

I've still got my 5904 - no pic I can access from work (bought in 1990 or'91?).........
and 6906, 3914 NL, and a 1st gen 39-2.

 

[HayesGreener]

I carried a 6906 and a CS9 for duty over many years. Fine accurate pistols.

 

[HayesGreener]

I had a 645 when they first were introduced. The trigger was Terrible! I bought it when I was stationed in Germany. There were no authorized S&W service centers in Germany and sending it back to the states for servicing wasn’t going to happen.
I sold it and got a Colt Delta EliteView attachment 81762

I had a 4566. Trigger was good but it was like carrying an anvil.

 

[Mr.W.]

like carrying an anvil

Oh, yeah.